Top British official meets Burmese pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi

Kansas City Post Friday 6th January, 2012

YANGON - British Foreign Secretary William Hague met Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi Friday and urged the Burmese authorities to release political prisoners swiftly.

Hague said that while there was a clear "momentum for change" in Burma "much more is needed to be done" before EU sanctions on the country can be lifted.

He also said the international community needs to maintain pressure on Burmese authorities.

"I made clear that the British government expects to see the release of all political prisoners, credible by-elections in April, and a genuine alleviation of the suffering in ethnic areas, including through humanitarian access and peace talks," Hague said in a statement after meeting Suu Kyi.

The visit by the foreign secretary is the first visit by such a senior British official to Burma since 1955. On Thursday, he had met government leaders in capital Naypidaw.

Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel prize winner and leader of the pro-democracy movement in Burma, told reporters later that "in order to realise our dreams we have to work very hard indeed".

Suu Kyi had a private dinner with Hague Thursday night and spent Friday morning in discussions with the foreign secretary who has described himself as her great admirer.

Suu Kyi, who was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1991, has spent much of the last 23 years under house arrest.

The Burmese authorities are keen to have the sanctions lifted on the country by EU and US.

Burma, also known as Myanmar, is under an arms embargo; an asset freeze and travel ban; investment ban; and a ban on development assistance except in specific sectors by the EU.

Hague's visit follows that by his U.S. counterpart, Hillary Clinton over a month ago.

Myanmar has been ruled by a military junta since 1962. However, a civilian president, Thein Sein, was appointed by the military dictator Than Shwe last March.